MALAITA land recording is on the horizon as pioneer high-level talks are underway in Auki.

The consultations brings together members of the Malaita provincial executive, staff of the provincial lands division and a delegation from the national government.

The government delegation includes Mary Tegavota from the national lands record, Hellen Ohukeni of the land reform unit from the Ministry of Lands, Housing & Survey (MLHS) and Genesis Kofana, the national consultant land reform from the Office of the Prime Minister, on customary land process for malaita province.

According to Premier of Malaita province, Hon Peter Channel Ramohia, the meeting allowed MLHS staff to brief the executive on customary land recording process.

“It also provides the opportunity for the executive to make their input to the process.

“A provincial land recording office will be up in the provincial government head office for this project.

“The Malaita provincial executive has indentified and selected four sites to begin the land recording process in the province.

“One in Small Malaita, Are’are, North Malaita and the other one will be in central region of Malaita.”

These four sites Ramohia said were selected based not only on their readiness for recording but also their potential for development in the future.

“The land recording process is an integral part of the land reform pillar of the MART government governance model.

“Although four sites have been selected to begin the land recording process, the whole of Malaita province has been decleared a land recording zone.

“Guadalcanal, Choiseul and Temotu provinces are also earmarked for this land recording project as well,” Ramohia added.

“I believe this project will also support and strengthen house of chief’s establishment in the province because these institutions will play a crucial role in the customary process,” Premier Ramohia said.